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First Step Staffing

EIN 20-8038859 · Atlanta, GA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak24 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

First Step's mission is to end homelessness by helping men, women, and families develop a reliable source of income. We accomplish the mission with two programs. First Step Staffing provides jobs to individuals who can work. First Step Disability Services fast-tracks individuals with severe disabilities for disability income and health insurance.

Income
$53.3 million
Spending
$56.4 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
-1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
7,055
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$393,173, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 24 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 114% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 28 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $52.8 million spent. First Step Staffing, an Alternative Staffing Organization, is designed to eliminate barriers to employment. First Step believes in providing an economic opportunity for everyone. To do so, First Step contracts with businesses and directly employs men and women who have experienced homelessness, veterans, and returning citizens to fill these contract jobs. To help our clients successfully re-enter the job market and support job retention, First Step provides training, job coaching, transportation assistance to/from work, and any necessary uniforms, tools, or equipment. First Step has had a powerful impact on individuals' lives and in the community. Since being founded in Atlanta in 2007, First Step Staffing has helped thousands of individuals re-enter the workforce in its eight current locations (Atlanta, Augusta, Nashville, Orlando, Philadelphia, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Fontana) and paid millions in earned wages.
  2. $869,675 spent. First Step Disability Services helps men and women with severe disabilities access Social Security Disability Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Prior to First Step Disability Services, only 19 percent of homeless people who applied for disability are approved. In contrast, over 80 percent of First Step's clients are approved and in an average of 12-24 months (compared to 3-5 years in Georgia). Over the last five years, First Step Disability Services has secured approximately $3,000,000 in retroactive benefits and almost $200,000 in recurring monthly benefits.
  3. $197,570 spent. First Step operates a housing assistance program in Atlanta, GA and Philadelphia, PA. The program provides direct housing assistance to those facing eviction and/or homeless during their employment with FSS. Housing payments vary and do not extend past 6 months.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.